Norwegian reading app to launch in the UK

Poio, an app created to help children learn to read, is launching in the UK in June.

Daniel Senn, c.e.o. and founder of the Poio company, described the app as a gaming platform and story that allows children to explore reading whilst learning.

“Our son was born six years ago with hearing loss and we knew that can affect a child’s ability to learn to read,” he told The Bookseller. “I wanted to create something that would make the process much more enjoyable and that’s how the company started.”

Poio, which is already on the market in Norway and Sweden, is aimed at children aged 3-8. In the story a troll has stolen a book and the child must collect words to fill up that empty book. “We haven’t digitised a story book - this is a gaming experience,” said Senn. “Users learn letter shapes and sounds, and gain an awareness of how letters combine to make different sounds.”

Parents receive an email progress reports, allowing them to follow their child’s learning, but Senn said he wants children to explore the app independently.

Poio was founded in 2016 and has raised more than £750,000, with investment from Schibsted and Norwegian tech entrepreneur Johan Brand (co-founder of Kahoot!). The app launches in the UK in June and will cost £19 via the App Store and Google Play.